... Even the worst heartaches can become heartstrings to God's hope, comfort, encouragement, joy, peace and love...

Welcome! As a fan of the cartoon character Maxine, I enjoy her witty remarks. But when I
read my blogs & other writing to her, she's not very responsive- even when I'm wearing my bunny slippers like hers! She just doesn't get it!
Although she's funnier than I am, I do pray that this site will bring encouragement to your day! I'd love to hear from you! Unlike Maxine, you can leave me a message via the Comments. Shalom, Connie

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Sunday, April 04, 2021

 [Tip: Read the previous post first.]

April 4, 2021, Resurrection Day

A Day of Remembering

Were You There 

Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they crucified my Lord?

Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?

Were you there when he rose up from the grave?
Were you there when he rose up from the grave?
Oh, sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble.
Were you there when he rose up from the grave?





This old spiritual sends tears down my cheeks every time I hear it. My mind tries to envision the horror of it all. My heart and soul try to comprehend that kind of love-- on Jesus' part as well as God's.

I attempt to enter Mary’s mind as she sees her son mocked and flogged; the various responses of the Roman soldiers and the crowd; and the fears of Pilate, the members of the Sanhedrin, and the temple priests.

If I’d joined the women at the tomb, would I have been frightened or rejoicing when I saw the empty tomb?

Would I have fallen on my knees and cried, “Holy, holy holy! Blessed is He, the Son of the Most High?”

Or would I have run to the village well to tell the other women the truth that He truly was the Messiah? Or would I be able to send the good news via Camel Express to my family and friends?

Or would I sob and ponder these things in my heart? Like the three Mary’s, I think I would stay nearby.

I remain without comprehension.

Then I read this from the Seven Last Words1 and pause.

“In one very real sense in this one very real moment he was hopeless because there could be no reprieve, no call from the governor, no appeal or last-minute stay of execution. There was no hope to escape death because Jesus had been born for this moment, born to die to redeem us from sin.

“Frederick Buechner wrote, “The miracle was to be that there would be no miracle. He was to be spared nothing.” ...Frederick Buechner Trusting in the unfailing character of God, but will the Father who seems to have forsaken him receive him now?

Yes, “Jesus comes to that final moment. With a loud cry, he shoves against all the despair and darkness of death and shouts, “Catch me Abba” and with trust in his Father’s unfailing character, resting in the Father’s sovereign purpose, Jesus jumps with abandon into the loving hands and arms of his Heavenly Father. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

And the good news for us, Jesus didn’t jump alone. No, he took us with him. For all of us who have placed our faith in Christ as our Savior and Lord, the bible says we are in Christ. We are in him, and he is taking us with us. Can you hear him? “Abba, get your hands ready to catch me. Oh, and can you catch my friend as well. I told him today he would be with me in paradise. He’s coming with me.” And the Father says, “Jump, I’ll catch you both.”

My tomb of hope now makes sense. I smile and sing Charles Wesley’s refrain followed by Michael Card's last verse:

“Amazing love, how can it be that thou my God shouldst die for me.”


"Love crucified arose.

The risen One in splender;

Jehovah's soul defender;

Has won the victory.

Love crucified arose;

And the grave became a place of hope,

For the heart that sin and sorrow broke

Is beating once again."


“Amazing love, how can it be that thou my God shouldst die for me.”



Selah, think about this…

Connie




[i] https://cagtulsa.com/wp-content/uploads/sermons/2014/04/Seven-Last-Words-Part-7-4-18-14.pdf]

Saturday, April 03, 2021






 

April 2, 2021

I love finding and saving quotations written by wise people who can put my feelings and thoughts into words better than I can:


 

    PLEASE BE AWARE ÑÐ:

                I AM TRYING MY HARDEST…

                       ALL THE TIME …

TO PUSH THOROUGH

THE PAIN

THE EXHAUSTION & FATIGUE

THE FOG & DYSCOGNITION

THE INSOMNIA

THE FEAR

THE GUILT

THE JUDGMENT

THE RELENTLESSNESS OF IT ALL…

ALL THE TIME.

                                                                          ~ Unknown

 

As I read this, I feel the unknown writer is speaking from experience. She understands how I feel most of the time. It is a daily journey, the ongoing challenge of having multiple chronic illnesses. Mostly, I balance things well.

I can be grateful for my caregivers that do the necessities so I can be content doing the things that bring me pleasure.

However, some days I must give myself permission to be not okay, to not keep pushing for a solution… a way to cope.

Today is one of those times. Maybe because it is Good Friday, and I am thinking about His suffering. Mine is deserved; His was a choice because He loves me… loves you.


¯ I Should Have Been Crucified ¯

G.J.                                                                          Gordon Jenson      

1. I was guilty with nothing to say, And they were coming to take me away; But then a voice from heaven was heard that said, “Let him go! Take me instead!”

2. Crown of thorns, the spear deep in His side, And the pain should have been mine; The rusty nails were meant for me. O, yes, Christ took them and let me go free!

Refrain

And I should have been crucified! I should have suffered and died! I should have hung on the cross in disgrace, But Jesus, God’s Son, took my place!

 

Saturday, April 3, 2021

A song recorded in the 1970s ends with: “I read the back of the book, and we win…” Today, I also know the ending, which we will celebrate tomorrow. For now, I wait in my tomb of hope and consider these words:

 


 

If Jesus were a man, the cross was murder.

But if Jesus were God, it was an offering.

If Jesus were a man, the cross was martyrdom.

But if He were God, then it was sacrifice.


If Jesus were a man, they took His life.

But if He were God, He laid it down willingly.

If Jesus were a man, we were compelled to admiration.

But if He were God, we are compelled to adoration.

 

If Jesus were a man, we need to stand

and take off our hats to Him.

But if He were God,

we need to bow and give our lives to Him! 

 

and I pray:

“May there be within this day

quiet moments, when I can rest in your presence,

sit for a while at your feet, be still, and simply listen.” [John Birch]

 

Selah~

Connie